Hyman was commonly used by first-generation Jewish immigrants to Anglicize Chaim, but similarities to terms like heinie and hymen have taken it out of the realm of modern possibility. The original Chaim would be preferable to Hyman.

A major figure in the Old Testament, Enoch was the son of Jared, the father of Methuselah, and the great-grandfather of Noah whose Book of Enoch provides a focal point for ancient Jewish mysticism. Another Enoch was the son of Cain. "Enoch Arden" is a famous poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. On the negative side, British politician Enoch Powell gave the infamously racist Rivers of Blood anti-immigration speech, taking the name out of consideration for many parents in the UK.

An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.

Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.

This name has hardly been used since Wendell Willkie ran for president in 1940, and it may not quite be ready for revival yet. Still, clunky grandpa names like Lionel, Douglas, Benedict, Carl, and Melvin have received more attention in recent years, so Wendell can't be ruled out just yet.

Problematic, even if not for Dilbert.

Form of Elfrida

The name of the greatest Roman poet and an early Irish saint who believed the earth was round, Virgil is heard most notably today as the name of designer Virgil Abloh of Off-White.

A blend of Mervyn and Marvin that is every bit as dated as either of the originals. That -erv sound is difficult no matter what. Mervin is still used today among Amish families.

Its jaunty o-ending makes this name more appealing than most of its Germanic brothers, and we hope we're beyond the constant response to his name being "Where's Waldo?" The weighty reputation of writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson adds a measure of backbone to the name.

Doris had long been on our so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out-for-babies list, and seemed to be written there in indelible ink. But there are signs of a sea change, that Doris could profit from the revivals of Dorothy and Dorothea.

Out playing shuffleboard at his condo and not expected back for several generations -- unless it morphs into a girls' name, a la Sydney.

Lugenia is a feminine name that may have evolved as a variant of Eugenia, which derives from the Greek word 'eugenes' meaning 'well-born' or 'noble.' The substitution of 'L' for 'E' represents a phonetic adaptation that appears to have emerged in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Historical records show Lugenia had its peak usage in the early 1900s through the 1930s. The name follows patterns seen in other traditional feminine names that underwent regional or dialectal variations. While never among the most popular names, Lugenia maintained a steady presence in naming records during the first half of the 20th century before declining in usage. The name exemplifies how traditional names evolve through phonetic adaptations while maintaining connections to their classical origins. Today, Lugenia has a vintage quality that connects to early 20th-century naming traditions.

This presidential name is in style limbo today - or, some might say, in the the sweet spot of familiar but little-used.

The disgraced heroine of The Scarlet Letter's name, after long neglect, just might have a chance at revival, following in the wake of sister-name Esther. We've characterized her elsewhere as an eccentric aristocrat, much more accepted in the U.K. than she has been here.

Ferd is a short form of Ferdinand, a Germanic name combining 'fardi' meaning journey or travel, and 'nanth' meaning daring or brave. The name suggests a sense of adventure and courage. Ferd gained modest popularity in the early 20th century in the United States but has since become uncommon. It maintains a straightforward, strong sound while being less formal than Ferdinand. The name has historical connections to various European royal families through Ferdinand variants. Ferd offers a distinctive yet accessible alternative for parents seeking a brief masculine name with historical depth.

Eunice is a New Testament name of the mother of Timothy, long associated with one of the Kennedy sisters, the founder of the Special Olympics. As high as Number 106 in the early 1900s, it lasted on the list until 1995. Eunice was the birth name of Nina Simone, which gives it a modicum of cool.

Not quite as over-the-hill as Herman, but not far behind either.

Other kids might see a teasible connection to mortician or mortuary. Mortimer is an English family name used a few generations ago as an Anglicization of Moses; it was Walt Disney's original choice for the name of his mouse, until his wife talked him out of it.

A name with an obvious meaning, for a long time associated with Golda Meir, the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. Nickname Goldie seems to be catching on in the celebrity community.